Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “show patients their X-rays and explain why treatment is needed”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

30 min
typically, every day
30%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Use FDA-cleared X-ray AI to flag findings and show patients

Radiograph AI such as Pearl Second Opinion, Overjet and VideaHealth (also in Dentrix Detect AI) marks likely decay, calculus and bone loss on the image in seconds. It speeds your read and gives patients a colored picture that makes treatment easier to understand. You make the diagnosis.

Typically saves about 25% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your imaging or practice software already includes X-ray AI, or ask your owner about Pearl, Overjet or VideaHealth.
  2. 2Turn on the overlay in the operatory so it is ready when you review images.
  3. 3Use the marked-up image chairside to show the patient what you see.
  4. 4Confirm every finding clinically; the AI is a second opinion, not the diagnosis.
  5. 5Only use tools your practice has approved and covered by a HIPAA business associate agreement (BAA) for anything with patient information.

Tools: Pearl Second Opinion · Overjet · VideaHealth · Dentrix Detect AI

Fix 2 of 2

AI

Have AI write plain-language explanations of common treatments

Write once, reuse forever: AI drafts short, friendly explanations of crowns, root canals, scaling and root planing and so on, plus aftercare, that you check and save as handouts or text templates. Keep patient details out.

Typically saves about 40% of the time10 min to set up
  1. 1List the treatments you explain most often.
  2. 2Use the prompt below in an approved AI tool, with no patient names or details.
  3. 3Check every clinical fact and adjust to how your practice does things.
  4. 4Save the final versions as handouts or text templates in your patient messaging tool.
Prompt to copy
Write a patient explanation of [TREATMENT, e.g. a crown after a large filling] for a dental practice. Reading level: 6th grade. Cover: what it is in one sentence, why it is recommended, what happens at the appointment, how long it takes, what to expect afterwards, and what happens if they wait. Under 200 words, warm and plain, no scare tactics. Then write a 40-word text-message version. Do not give prices or invent clinical claims; mark anything to check as [CHECK].

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot (no patient details)

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you used X-ray AI that marks likely decay and bone loss on the image?
FDA-cleared tools like Pearl, Overjet or VideaHealth highlight possible findings on the X-ray in seconds. You confirm the diagnosis, and patients understand the colored image much better.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for Dental hygienists / assistants